Spurs retire Parkers' jersey in emotional ceremony

Boris Diaw was rightly concerned about the well-being of a scrawny 19-year-old kid moving to a new country and attempting to compete against the game's best in the NBA. One odd Christmas dinner that turned into an impromptu film session helped Diaw realize his friend and French teammate, Tony Parker, was going to be just fine.

The seeds of that evening came to full fruition as the San Antonio Spurs retired Parker's No. 9 jersey on Monday night in a stirring ceremony.

The sting of a 113-109 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies was quickly forgotten as a sell-out crowd celebrated the career of San Antonio's mercurial point guard.

Former San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker speaks during his retirement ceremony after the team's NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in San Antonio, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Accompanied by his wife, Axelle, and sons Josh and Liam, Parker celebrated his career with former teammates and coaches along with the Spurs fans.

Parker became the 10th player in franchise to have his number retired, joining fellow Big Three members Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili in having their jerseys lifted to the rafters of the AT&T Center.

"It was an honor to play for you guys, to play together," Parker said. "You have no idea how much impact you two had in my life. You inspire me every day."

Former San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, right, with former teammates Tim Duncan, left, and Manu Ginobili, center, listen to coach Gregg Popovich speak during Parker's retirement ceremony after the team's NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in San Antonio, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Parker, Duncan and Ginobili teamed to win four of the franchise's five NBA championships and are the winningest trio in league history with 541 wins.

"He grew so quickly," Duncan said. "I had no idea that this kid would be my point guard, the point guard that I loved to play with for the rest of my career."

That success and friendship came after a dubious start.

Former San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, left, laughs with former teammate Tony Parker, right, during Parker's retirement ceremony after the team's NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in San Antonio, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Parker had a self-described "horrible" first workout with the Spurs prior to the 2001 NBA draft that drew the ire of San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich. A second workout convince Popovich and the Spurs to take a chance on the French point guard and he rewarded them by earning NBA Finals MVP in 2007, six All-Star selections and becoming the franchise's leader in assists (6,829).

"Tony I want to apologize for all the physical and mental abuse I gave you over the years," Popovich said to the roar of laughter. "Thank you. I've been wanting to say that for a long time."

Not that Parker needed an apology. The relationship between Parker and Popovich grew from a coach and player to paternal.

Former San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, right, hugs former coach Gregg Popovich during Parker's retirement ceremony after the team's NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in San Antonio, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

"The impact that you had in my life," Parker said. "I have an unbelievable dad, but you were an unbelievable second dad to me. The way you taught me stuff, the way you helped me understand the game and make me better."

Diaw got a glimpse of the impact Popovich would have on Parker in December 2017.

Parker invited Diaw to San Antonio to celebrate the holidays and they both went to Popovich's home for Christmas dinner. Diaw began searching the home after both disappeared following a great meal and dessert.

Former San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, right, reaches out to hug former coach Gregg Popovich during Parker's retirement ceremony after the team's NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in San Antonio, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

"I see Pop viewing film with Tony about the game the night before," Diaw said. "I'm like, 'It's Christmas.' And Pop was yelling at Tony. 'You missed the shot and you're turning over the ball and you do that.' Wow. So, on the same night you could have the family setting, all the love and the care, and at the same time caring about making Tony a better player. That's when I knew Tony was good in hands."

And so were the Spurs.

"I've been the luckiest guy in the world to see you from age 19 to this day," Popovich said. "So, it's from a young kid who I just gave the ball to and said, 'Ok, you're gonna run the show,' and pretty soon we're going to be there when you enter the Hall of Fame."

The jersey of former San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker is unveiled during Parker's retirement ceremony after the team's NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in San Antonio, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/NBA and www.twitter.com/AP_Sports

Former San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, right, sits with former teammates Tim Duncan, left, and Manu Ginobili, center, during Parker's retirement ceremony after the team's NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in San Antonio, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero had 31 points and 14 rebounds, Jalen Suggs added 24 points and the Orlando Magic handed Cleveland the worst playoff loss in franchise history, winning 121-83 on Thursday night to cut the Cavaliers’ lead to 2-1 in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Franz Wagner finished with 16 points and eight assists for the Magic, who led by 43 points in the fourth quarter on the way to the third-largest margin of victory in a playoff game. They earned their first playoff victory since 2019 and the first on their home floor since April 26, 2011.

They can even the series with a victory at home Sunday.

Jarrett Allen had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Cavaliers, who shot 39% from the field and 23.5% from 3-point range. Caris LeVert added 15 points and Donovan Mitchell had 13 points and seven assists.

76ERS 125, KNICKS 114

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 50 points, making all four 3-point attempts and scoring 18 in a potential series-shifting third quarter to lead Philadelphia to a win over New York in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Embiid boldly stated “we’re going to win this series” after the 76ers dropped Game 2.

With one of the finest postseason efforts of his career, Embiid became the third player to ever score 50 points against the Knicks in the postseason and kept the hope of a Philadelphia series comeback very much alive.

The Knicks lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.

Embiid was 13 of 19 from the floor overall, made 19 of 21 free throws and hit five 3-pointers.

NUGGETS 112, LAKERS 105

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aaron Gordon had 29 points and 15 rebounds, Nikola Jokic added 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, and Denver moved to the brink of the second round with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their first-round series..

Jamal Murray scored 22 points as the defending NBA champion Nuggets won their 11th consecutive meeting with LeBron James and the Lakers in dominating style.

Michael Porter Jr. added 20 points for Denver, which took control in the third quarter and cruised through the final minutes to its fifth straight road win over Los Angeles, starting with its sweep of last season’s Western Conference finals.

Game 4 is Saturday night in Los Angeles. No NBA team has ever rallied from an 0-3 playoff deficit.

Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) makes a shot as he gets past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)